Eagle flying towards Derrinstown
Free Eagle is set to make his seasonal bow in next month's Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown.
Dermot Weld has pencilled in the 10-furlong Group Three on May 11 for his Classic contender, who signed off his 2013 campaign when chasing home Investec Derby favourite Australia at Leopardstown last September.
Weld told At The Races said: "He's very well. We're in no rush with him, but if everything went well, we'll come back to Leopardstown in five weeks' time for the Derrinstown Derby Trial. If everything went right, that will tell us where we should go. There's a lot of stamina coming through in that family."
Free Eagle is a best-priced 14-1 for the Derby at Epsom on June 7.
=====================================================
Walsh on standby for Colbert ride
Mark Walsh will partner Colbert Station if Tony McCoy opts to ride Double Seven in the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.
Of the JP McManus-owned duo, McCoy has admitted to having a slight preference for the latter, trained by Martin Brassil.
Should that be the case, Walsh, who is used regularly by McManus in Ireland, will get the leg-up aboard Colbert Station, who unseated McCoy at The Chair in last year's Grand National.
Trainer Ted Walsh: "He (Colbert Station) is all ready to go.
"I haven't spoken to Tony about what he's riding, though. I don't expect to speak to him until I see him at the races on Thursday and he'll have made his decision by then.
"If he picks Double Seven then Mark will be riding ours. I've no problem with that at all. Mark rides most of JP's horses when Tony isn't in Ireland anyway."
Owner Andy Stewart admits the National has never been a lucky race for him, but he has his best chance for some time in the Paul Nicholls-trained Rocky Creek.
"My Will finishing third to Mon Mome (2009) is the best I've ever done," he said.
"After Daryl Jacob finished second on Rocky Creek in the Hennessy and then second in the Argento he said we should be thinking of the Grand National and not the Gold Cup. Unfortunately for Daryl he is now injured, but we've secured Noel Fehily who is riding the crest of a wave at present.
"Rocky Creek definitely has a touch of class, just as Neptune Collonges did. It will be strange heading to Aintree without Big Buck's to cheer home this season but I hope we have another reason to be cheerful."
Tom Scudamore hopes to cap off his best ever season, which included a fantastic Cheltenham, by winning the National on The Package.
Success for the 11-year-old gelding would be an emotional one for trainer David Pipe and his team as he still runs in the colours of the late David Johnson, who gave the Pond House handler a National winner with Comply Or Die back in 2008.
The Package ran in the race four years ago when he unseated Graham Lee at the 19th fence.
"Obviously the fences are different and while they still take some jumping, I see no reason why he can't cope with it," Scudamore told At The Races.
"Obviously you don't get another chance to run over four and a half miles but when I rode him in the Hennessy (2012, fourth) he was going better and better the further we went. I've always thought a marathon trip would hold no fear. He was able to compete at Cheltenham off his mark and I think he's got a live chance."
The going on the National course has been changed to good to soft, good in places, though heavy rain has been forecast.
===================================================
Golan ready for National bid
Andy Bates, racing manager for owners WRB Racing, hopes Golan Way can roll back the years when he becomes the syndicate's first runner in the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.
The Tim Vaughan-trained 10-year-old was a smart performer for trainer Sheena West a few seasons ago, winning the Grade Two Sharp Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in November 2008, as well as the Listed Future Stars Chase over fences at Sandown in December 2011.
The son of Golan has since been restricted to only seven starts after developing a problem with a splint but, now in the care of Vaughan at his Glamorgan base, Golan Way bounced back to form in a hunters' chase at Warwick last time out.
"He's come out of the Warwick race in really good shape and we're hopeful he can run a big race in the National," said Bates.
"Golan Way has been an absolute star for us throughout the years and we've always thought that this sort of marathon trip could just suit him down to the ground. He's got some really good form in the book, albeit a few seasons ago.
"Since going jumping, he's actually won on his third outing every season and, given that he's had two starts already this season, we're hoping that this record is intact on Saturday evening."
John Provan, owner of Pineau De Re, is hoping a long-standing friendship with trainer Dr Richard Newland can result in a victory on the biggest stage of them all.
Originally from Glasgow, Provan moved to Derbyshire in the 1980s and is a former amateur Flat jockey who had several rides, including against the Princess Royal, having worked for trainers Tommy Taylor and John Mackie.
Although Provan now runs a print and packaging business, racing is still his passion.
His company, Printcut Boxfast, sponsors Newland's yard and he also sponsors several of the horses in the stable.
Provan said: "Neither of us make a habit of buying a seemingly exposed 10-year-old but we were impressed when we saw him win the Ulster National and, when we saw that he was due to go through the sales ring, we managed to do a deal with his former owner.
"We saw a window of opportunity with him as we didn't think he was as exposed as his age suggests and Richard has done a marvellous job of improving him since. He was very much bought with Aintree in mind and his form this year suggests we've got a live chance."
=====================================================
New team eye Aintree consolation
The New One is likely to be a red-hot favourite as he bids to put the record straight after an unlucky run at Cheltenham when he lines up for the Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle on Thursday.
Nigel Twiston-Davies' stable star appeared to lose all chance when badly hampered by the fatal fall of Our Conor at the third flight in the Champion Hurdle, but he finished to such good effect that he was only beaten two and three-quarter lengths in third place behind Jezki.
He has also a point to prove in this race as he was second, beaten half a length by Zarkandar 12 months ago when he was a novice.
Twiston-Davies said: "Everything has gone to plan since Cheltenham and he seems in good form. We're looking forward to it. He was second in it last year and we hope he's a better horse than he was then. He was unlucky in the Champion Hurdle - let's hope we can make up for it."
The New One's rider, Sam Twiston-Davies, the trainer's son, also goes to Aintree full of confidence.
"He seems in great heart and we are looking to put the unlucky stories behind us. I don't know if he had a harder race because he had to make up so much ground. When it happened winning went out of my head and it was more about getting him balanced and getting him enjoying it again because he jumped the next two a bit scratchy," he said.
"Don't get me wrong, I wasn't easy on him after the last, I really got stuck into him but he beat the reigning champion, Hurricane Fly, after being hampered so I think that speaks for itself."
Rock On Ruby reverts to hurdling after his limitations as a chaser were exposed when he was well beaten in the Arkle. Harry Fry's charge was third in this race two years ago after he had won the Champion Hurdle, but he was trounced 10 lengths by The New One when the pair clashed at Kempton in October.
"We made the decision to revert to hurdles after his disappointing run in the Arkle, where his mistake at the third cost him any chance and underlined his lack of scope at the highest level. He's not going to turn into a Queen Mother or a Ryanair horse next year so we're going back over hurdles," said the Seaborough handler.
"The step up in trip and the fact he didn't have that hard a race at Cheltenham as he came home in his own time might be a big plus for us but he still faces a tall order.
"He was third in this race the year he won the Champion Hurdle and he ran in the novice at Aintree after running a big race in the Neptune. He was probably feeling the effects of both races. Hopefully this time we go a bit fresher and in better form than we have done in the past, but he still faces a tough task."
While Paul Nicholls accepts The New One will be hard to beat, he feels that his two runners, Ptit Zig and Irish Saint, go there with place prospects.
"I've actually always thought Ptit Zig wanted good ground to be seen at his best, he won on it at Sandown last year. I think the fact he won over two and a half miles in France when they said it was very soft made people think he was a mudlark, but it wasn't as soft as they said that day," said the Ditcheat trainer.
"Irish Saint is versatile as regards the ground. He's nice and fresh and he was very impressive over nearly this trip at Ascot. Obviously they are both going to have to improve to beat The New One, but so will everything else. After The New One it is wide open and mine are both improving five-year-olds so have a good chance of being placed."
Grumeti won the Grade One 4-Y-O Hurdle on this card two years ago, but has fallen short at the top level since then and beat only one home in the Champion Hurdle on his latest start. However, his trainer Alan King believes it is worth having a go and the extra yardage should be in his favour.
"While it is a big task, the extra half-mile should help and the only other option was to wait for the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr, where with My Tent Or Yours in there they will go plenty quick enough around for him," the Barbury Castle handler told
www.alankingracing.co.uk.
========================================================
Wheeler at ease as big day looms
Felix Wheeler has waited a long time for his chance to ride over the National fences and his moment finally arrives at Aintree on Thursday.
The retired Army major spent more than 20 years in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, serving in Kosovo and reached the position of Crown Equerry, in charge of the Queen's travel arrangements, her horses, coaches and cars.
Nowadays, he is a recognisable figure around the southern circuit as a British Horseracing Authority judge, and he takes to the track on his own horse, Dead Or Alive, in the Crabbie's Supporting The Hillsborough Families Fox Hunters' Chase.
"I just can't wait to get on with it," said Wheeler, who rides out at Gary Moore's stable during the week and believes he has competed in Sandown's Grand Military Gold Cup more times than anyone else.
"I tried twice before, years ago now, to get in but got balloted out and I suppose at the age of 52 I'll be the oldest in the race.
"The horse got around the course when he was trained by Tim Vaughan in 2011, where I understand he had an interrupted preparation. He jumped round well and just got tired.
"This time he has had the perfect preparation, and we've been waiting to run ever since he qualified for Aintree by finishing second at Huntingdon in February.
"There are only 22 in at the moment, so hopefully we'll have some space by the time The Chair comes and he'll give me a great spin."
Dead Or Alive is one of three representatives for young East Sussex trainer Rose Grissell along with Orfeo Conti and Brunswick Gold.
The field also includes last year's 100-1 winner, the Scottish-trained Tartan Snow, the mount of crack amateur Derek O'Connor.
Northern Irish-trained Warne, a recent purchase by Robert Waley-Cohen, is ridden by his son, Sam, a specialist over the fences who is set to partner Long Run in the main event itself on Saturday.
The prolific Mossey Joe has also been declared by Enda Bolger after connections had opted to swerve the Grand National with the Barry Connell-owned 11-year-old.
==========================================================
Greenham key to Berkshire destiny
Berkshire is set to kick off his three-year-old campaign in the Aon Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday week.
How he fares there in the Group Three contest over seven furlongs will give connections an idea of what direction to steer him for the rest of the season.
The Paul Cole-trained colt was a talented youngster, winning the Chesham and Royal Lodge Stakes on the last two of his three starts.
At the moment he holds entries in the Qipco 2000 Guineas, the Betfred Dante Stakes and the Investec Derby.
"We are keeping all our options open with Berkshire. He is well entered up and we are keeping an open mind," said Cole's son and assistant, Oliver.
"The plan is to run him in the Greenham at Newbury and see from there. Running at Newbury should get the freshness out of him and we will know more then.
"On pedigree, a mile and a quarter is likely to be his optimum but we'll see.
"Physically he has done well. He has grown a little and strengthened. He seems in good form and we are happy with him."
==========================================================
Warhorse bids for Aintree glory
Shock Arkle winner Western Warhorse gets the chance to prove his Cheltenham success was no fluke when he steps up in trip for the Pinsent Masons Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree.
The David Pipe-trained six-year-old headed to the Festival with just one run over fences to his name and was sent off at 33-1.
Having attempted to go with Champagne Fever through the early stages, he looked like being swallowed up coming down the hill but stuck to his task doggedly. A place still looked like the best he could hope for jumping the last, but owner Roger Brookhouse's decision to pitch him into Grade One company was justified as Western Warhorse got up on the line.
He steps up to two and a half miles on Thursday, but jockey Tom Scudamore said: "As he's won a point-to-point (over three miles) I can't see two and a half miles around Aintree being an issue. We just thought that two and a half on a flat track might suit him better as he was staying on really strongly at the end of a very strongly-run two miles on an undulating track.
"The way he won was great, just getting up on the line, it all added to the drama. The horse proved Roger right. He wanted to run him in the Arkle more than David and he's only six, you'd like to think there's more to come."
At the other end of the scale Alan King's Uxizandre had victory snatched away from him after the last at Cheltenham. He jumped for fun at the head of affairs in the JLT Novices' Chase only to be pegged back close home by Taquin Du Seuil.
"He surpassed our expectations at Cheltenham, where he seemed to relish the new riding tactics and never missed a beat all the way round," said King on
www.alankingracing.co.uk"I thought he had it in the bag turning for home, but he just got reeled in on the run-in, and you would like to think that this track might suit him."
Dodging Bullets finished fourth in the Arkle behind Western Warhorse and trainer Paul Nicholls has been wanting to step him up in trip for some time.
"His run in the Arkle looked to me like he was crying out for further. He ran really well in testing ground at Newbury when he was just caught by Module over two miles and a furlong, and I thought that day he might want a bit of a trip," said Nicholls.
"That run certainly suggested that two and a half around here would be within his compass and that he should stay this far."
The field is completed by Nicky Henderson's Oscar Whisky, a first fence faller in the JLT at Cheltenham and Emma Lavelle's Fox Appeal, a close third in the Pendil when last seen.
=======================================================
Calipto seeks Aintree redemption
Calipto is out to prove he was an unlucky loser of the Triumph when he returns to the fray in the Injured Jockeys Fund 50th Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree on Thursday.
He was about to make his challenge at the second-last flight when his stirrup leather broke.
Yet somehow, Daryl Jacob managed to get him into fourth place at the line, eight and three-quarter lengths behind the winner Tiger Roll.
With Jacob sidelined through injury it is Sam Twiston-Davies' job to try to put the matter right.
Trainer Paul Nicholls just hopes Cheltenham has not left its mark on the talented juvenile.
"What happened to him in the Triumph, with his stirrup leather breaking, has never happened to one of my horses before but if anything it just summed up the way our week went, very little went right," said the Ditcheat handler.
"To finish as close as he did shows what a good horse he is.
"The one thing I just hope is that this isn't coming too quickly, like with a lot this week. They look bright at home, but you won't know until they run."
Guitar Pete finished one place ahead of Calipto in third at Cheltenham and takes his chance as trainer Dessie Hughes wanted to avoid Tiger Roll.
"He seems to have come out of Cheltenham well, so we're letting him take his chance," said the County Kildare handler.
"I'm trying to avoid Tiger Roll. He's going to Punchestown.
"He's been very consistent so I hope he can keep it up one more time and get his chance.
"I think the course will suit him. He's got a lot of pace and he jumps well."
Harry Fry decided not to take Activial to Cheltenham and instead aim for this race following his win in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton in February.
"We've been very pleased with what he did since Kempton," said the Seaborough trainer.
"He'll have to step up again. This is a tougher race and has more strength in depth, as you'd expect for a Grade One.
"Hopefully, he can continue on an upward curve and be there or thereabouts.
"He was second to Calipto at Newbury for us on his debut in November then we gave him a break.
"He's improved in leaps and bounds since then as no doubt Calipto will have.
"It will be an interesting rematch, but obviously it's not a two-horse race. It's a good race, but we're happy with our horse and looking forward to running him."
John Ferguson feels he has two unexposed young hurdlers in Broughton and Commissioned with which to go to war.
"They've both taken different paths," said the Newmarket trainer.
"Broughton ran very well beaten a head by Fox Norton first time then won well at Musselburgh in the Scottish Triumph Hurdle.
"He was disappointing at Cheltenham, but he just got a bit wound up beforehand and I just feel he wasn't as relaxed as you need to be to win a Triumph.
"We're trying him with a hood for the first time and we're hoping that will see an improvement in his form
"He'll have a holiday afterwards whatever happens and we're looking forward to him for next year."
"Commissioned is lightly raced. He was third at Cheltenham in December and was second in the Adonis at Kempton to Activial.
"He had relatively little experience on the Flat and so I feel he's a horse who's going to keep on improving. I'm hoping he'll run a nice race."
=======================================================
Kingsbarns usurped by sharp Qewy
Kingsbarns could finish only third as Qewy made all of the running to spring a surprise in the Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown.
The 2012 Racing Post Trophy winner held every chance but could not get to the John Oxx-trained 11-1 outsider of five in the rain-softened ground.
Qewy kept pulling out more for Declan McDonogh and got the verdict by three-quarters of a length from Pop Art, who took second spot from 4-6 favourite Kingsbarns.
"He won his maiden in Navan last year very well and he probably didn't go on the quick ground in the summer. He went on that ground very well," said McDonogh.
"You'd have to like him there. He might run well in the Gladness Stakes (at the Curragh next month) or something like that."
Kingsbarns was not the only high-profile Aidan O'Brien horse to flounder in the difficult conditions as Johann Strauss also had to settle for minor honours earlier on the card.
Runner-up in last season's Racing Post Trophy, the 4-5 favourite could finish only third after a troubled run in the Ross Nugent Foundation Maiden.
One of O'Brien's Classic prospects, he was held up as stablemate Illusive and Le Troisieme Gris set the pace.
Joseph O'Brien made his move early in the straight and went for a gap on the inside but it was closed by Kevin Manning on the eventual winner Fiscal Focus (5-2).
Jim Bolger's colt just held Boqa by a nose, with Johann Strauss a never-nearer third, another length and three-quarters away.
"He got through the ground but we won't know how good he is until he gets better ground," said Bolger.
"He's a good sort - I like him and I think he has prospects. He doesn't lack toe and it's possible he could come back in trip too."
The narrowly-beaten Boqa, is trained by Tommy Stack, who took the Bulmers Live at Leopardstown Summer Racedays 2014 Fillies Maiden with the newcomer Waltzing Matilda (3-1) under Wayne Lordan.
The daughter of Danehill Dancer is likely to return to the Dublin track for the Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial on May 11.
Stack's son and assistant, Fozzy, said: "They didn't go much of a gallop and it turned into a sprint which wasn't ideal.
"She wants a mile and a quarter - she's quite nice but she's still big, raw and green. She can only improve.
"I was going to enter her in the Athasi Stakes but I thought it was a bit short for her.
"She'll probably come back here for the Guineas Trial."
==================================================